Released on October 11, 2002
Saskatchewan's job picture continues to brighten with another new recordset.
Statistics Canada figures released today show the highest number ever for
people working in September. There were 493,700 people employed in the
province last month (seasonally unadjusted), beating the previous record
set three years ago and an increase of 19,500 over September 2001.
Last month's numbers marked the fifth consecutive month of solid job growth
over last year's figures. Saskatchewan had the highest percentage increase
of the four western provinces in the number of people working and was tied
for first in the country in percentage increase in job growth.
"These new job numbers are a further testament to the strong economic
foundation Saskatchewan people have built," Industry and Resources Minister
Eldon Lautermilch said. "We've bounced back from last year, when
agriculture losses slowed what had been record job growth."
Non-agricultural employment was up 14,800 compared to September of last
year. Even the struggling agriculture sector recorded an increase of 4,300
jobs over the previous September.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, job numbers in September were up 6,000 over
those for August of this year.
Other economic indicators were also positive. Retail sales, new vehicle
sales, building permit values and potash sales were all up, and urban
housing starts more than doubled in September. Social assistance caseloads
continue to decline. A first-year report on the province's economic
strategy, Partnership for Prosperity, shows Saskatchewan is on track to
meet or exceed most of the targets in the five-year plan.
Saskatchewan had the second lowest unemployment rate in Canada at 4.7 per
cent in September (seasonally unadjusted), down 0.4 percentage points from
last year, and well below the national rate of 7.0 per cent. Regina had
the third lowest unemployment rate among major Canadian cities at 5.2 per
cent.
"Our job figures will continue to fluctuate from month to month, but we
have momentum now through an economy that's more diversified than it's ever
been," Lautermilch said. "We're building for the future with initiatives
to spur more investment in our key mining and oil and gas sectors, and with
an ethanol industry that's now taking off with Thursday's announcement in
Belle Plaine.
"Working in partnership, we are creating a stronger investment climate in
which businesses, co-operatives and communities can all prosper. We are
creating a climate that results in exciting new jobs and careers for
Saskatchewan people."
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone (306) 787-1691